Tale of Panthera Regina (Remake)

Chapter 13: Island of Doom

POV: Kadupul

The group woke up early as it was agreed upon the night before. Yesterday was rough on all of them. Kadupul still couldn't shake the words of the Sirens, mainly Liz. Rex explained that if the Sirens can't lure their prey by song. They used words of hate to get them in the waters. The Darwin's Fox was lucky that Bengal Tiger stepped on her tail, thus preventing her from getting too close to the water. It made Kadupul wonder. Why weren't Rex and Mendax influenced by the Sirens?

During the night, it was colder than normal. Compared to the last few nights. The sand even started to bother Kadupul's skin. The longer they remained on the beach. However, a few rashes were better than a night in the jungle. None of them dared to venture there at night. Stranges noises could be heard from the beach, which only deepen the fears of the group.

Kadupul yawned and stretched as she awoke. The fox could sense that Mendax wasn't nearby but somehow knew Rex was by the ocean's edge. The Darwin's Fox trotted over to Rex and sat down next to him. The waves crashed into the water, rocks, and each other. The smell of salt and fish-filled her nose.

*I wonder what fish tastes like.* The gray fox thought, never really getting the chance to try fish before. Kadupul wonders how different it would be from eating a mouse or squirrel.

The brown tiger and gray fox sat close to the ocean edge. Far enough away from not getting completely soaked by the salty water. The spray of the ocean still landed on her paws and legs. Kadupul welcomed the sun as it warmed her body behind her. Once more, the fox knew that the sun was slowly claiming the sky from the moon. However, something was off about this scene, and wondered if Rex felt it too.

"So," Kadupul paused with a grin. "What is the plan? How are we going to get to the Island of the Griffins?" She asked Rex and heard him sigh. She frowned as he didn't respond.

*What was up with Rex?* Kadupul thought. After what happened yesterday with the sirens. Rex has been acting differently. He's been in a mood, one could say. *But Rex had told her about the bullying before, or at least she guessed that of what happened. Maybe it is not what they said, but how they said it was different.* She thought, thinking of what the Sirens said and how each word was full of spite.

*Rex does seem the type to pretend he is fine when he isn't. The Sirens called him a falsus prince. However, they said it, in a way as if they didn't believe it.* Her jaw dropped with that train of thought. *Maybe Rex didn't realize that the Sirens were getting a rise out of him or....... Maybe they did believe it or didn't care.* Kadupul frowned and growled.

The Darwin's Fox too was hurt by the words of the Sirens but to her. It was nothing compared to what Reynard and her sulk did to her. They threw her in the river like she was worthless. No one offer her help, and when she finally made it to land. The other foxes ran away. It made her question how others see her.

*But then why did Rex stay?* Kadupul looked up at him. *The view of the ocean must be nice.* She thought as he did not speak.

"I honestly have no clue," Rex said with a morning cough. His voice sounded hoarse as if he didn't get a drink. However, it's not as if they can drink. The ocean was too salty, and the jungle of Flos was dangerous at night, or at least they assumed. "We could ask for help, but I am not good at Aquatic tongues. Also, I don't know about you or Mendax, but I can't tell the difference between the sirens or sea creatures to save my life." He explained in a fake calm tone.

Kadupul had spent nine days with Rex, and of those nine days, she only knew Mendax for five days. So, both learned about each other whether they realized it or not. For instance, the Fox could tell that Rex often overthinks and worries about the smallest detail. She often wonders what he thinks about.